Dan Frisa: “it is my pleasure to bring to the floor this legislation which is entitled the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and…”

“it is my pleasure to bring to the floor this legislation which is entitled the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Reauthorization Act and to urge its adoption. This is, I think, an excellent example of how the Federal Government can best help to coordinate resources with the States as well as localities and other private sector programs to effectuate improvements in the lives of those who have suffered disabilities which do not enable them to live as full a life as possible. This program is now being reauthorized through 1999. I think it is important to point out that the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Bliley], the chairman of the Committee on Commerce, along with the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell], his counterpart on the other side, as well as the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis], the subcommittee chairman, and the gentleman from California [Mr. Waxman], I think put forward an excellent bipartisan effort to ensure that this bill would come to the floor with unanimous approval of the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Speaker, briefly this legislation will reauthorize 4 particular programs: The basic State council grant program; the protection and advocacy systems program; university-affiliated programs, which coordinates with some 59 universities throughout these United States to coordinate available programs and training programs as well for individuals; and, finally, projects of national significance.”